Limb Salvage in Near-Total Traumatic Elbow Amputation with Bone Loss Using Spanning Titanium Elastic Nails: A Case Report
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Ajmal Abdulla1, Milind Deshpande1, Dhairyasheel Udaysinh Patil1
1Department of Orthopaedics, Goa Medical College, Panaji, Goa, India.
Introduction:
Near-total traumatic amputation around the elbow is a devastating injury associated with extensive soft-tissue damage, contamination, vascular compromise, and bone loss. Limb salvage in such injuries remains challenging.
Case Report:
A 54-year-old female sustained a near-total traumatic amputation of the right elbow following a road traffic accident. After extensive debridement and temporary stabilization with an external fixator, four titanium elastic nails were inserted in a spanning configuration across the elbow, connecting the fractured humerus with the fractured radius and ulna. Following staged wound management and split-thickness skin grafting, limb salvage was achieved.
Conclusion:
Spanning titanium elastic nails may provide an unconventional salvage fixation option in severe elbow trauma with bone loss when conventional fixation methods are not feasible.